Breaking news from Mexico

Lynden man assaulted in Mexico
A former Lynden man, since banished from the Dutch community, was assaulted in Mexico yesterday by a machete wielding Zihuatenejo resident. Fortunately there were no injuries. Two quick thinking witnesses intervened and stopped the assault before any injuries occurred.
The former Lynden man, Matt Kok, was a little shaken, but was quickly revived with a large gin and tonic.
When questioned about the incident. The normally gentle Zihuatenejo man, Alfredo, become agitated immediately. Once he was calmed again he gave the following statement to the authorities. “I asked him if he wanted me to put out the garbage, and he attempted to reply in Espanol ”. Apparently that is when the problem began. “He insulted me and my family heritage”. Alfredo said he had endured two weeks of this guy, along with another Bellingham man, who he said was just a little slow. The authorities questioned Mr. Kok, and the Bellingham man separately. After the short interview, they determined that the assault was justified, as they walked away shaking their heads. The resident of the house, a Ferndale man, who is multilingual, was also questioned and was able to smooth over the situation. The authorities saw that the Ferndale man was legitimate, he also was able to capture a photo of the assault.
Upon their departure, the authorities commented that they have seen these Bellingham and Lynden Gringo types before. We always wonder how they let them in to our country.
This exclusive photo caught by a quick thinking Ferndale man. Who then jumped in to quell the situation.

1-28
Just finished up with the Wednesday cocktail party. It has become a regular event. We never know how many are going to show up. It was the last one for Koks and Simkins for this trip. It has been great fun for all.
Tuesday Matt, Sheila, Judy and I, rode the bus to town in the morning. The girls wanted to hit a couple of shops while Matt and I went to Bananas for breakfast. The girls joined us for a bite to eat and then we went to see Rigo! Rigo is my barber. After a couple karaoke songs, Matt had a fresh haircut. Always an experience! Then back to the beach and the pool. It was almost to much to have on the schedule for one day.
1-29
Larry and Susan have caught the bus up to Troncones this morning. The rest of us have opted to stay here today. We are heading to breakfast in the Madera area this morning. Our plan is to go to Casa Café. It is owned by an American family from the Portland Oregon area. They have lived here for a few years and have a very nice little business and life here.
Our trip to town was very pleasant this morning. A late breakfast at Casa Café, where we enjoyed a singer that came by. A local lady with a wonderful voice and a fine guitar player accompanying her. Then it was off to town for a little shopping for the ladies. Matt and I sat at Banditos and had a beverage and watched the activity.
1-30
Last night was our last night together, so we went down the street to La Gaviota. It is a restaurant at the south end of La Ropa beach. The food is OK, but the sunset location is excellent. Our meal was fine and we had a very nice evening watching the sunset.
Today Koks and Simkins are getting in their last few hours around the beach and Casa Ita. They will be leaving for the airport this afternoon for their trek home, bummer!
Judy and I will now anxiously await the arrival of Sean and Ellie, and our niece Heather and her husband Robb. They will all be here for a short week.
Right now we have no power at the house. There is some work going on somewhere down the road that has it off. Alfredo tells me that it will be a couple of hours, or there abouts. The schedule is on Mexican time, so, we will see. Maybe longer maybe less.
- Warren

It is a little after 4pm now – Friday, 1-30. The power is back on and I am helping Tina clean and do the laundry. When she is finished this evening, we will make a run to the Comercial and stock up for the coming week. Tomorrow we will head out to the airport around 2pm to meet Ellie and Sean (about 2:30) and then Heather and Robb (about 4:00). It will be a lot of fun tomorrow evening with them here!
We just received a call from Camille; she will find out about her job with Starbuck’s by Feb. 11. They are cutting 350 jobs from the Seattle corporate offices where she is. Hopefully when she arrives here in Zihua in a couple of weeks she will have good news! Please keep your fingers crossed for her.
So, nothing much happening right now – a changing of the guests. We continue to play a lot of backgammon, read a lot, embroider, walk, swim, rest, and SMILE. Life is very, very good.
- Judy
Part of our morning routine. Sitting by the pool drinking our coffee and watching the day start.

Today we had to say goodbye to our good friends after a short 2 weeks. Alfredo misses them already also.

One of our evening Domino games, sometimes harsh words and names were shouted out!

Our last evening together, dinner on La Ropa with music

1-27-2009
More relaxing, more dominoes, more reading, more pool and beach time, and more color in our cheeks. Life down here is more of the same and continues to be lovely.

I received a call from my very good friend, Vera, this morning in regards to accommodations for their son, Rich, who will be down here with them in February. It seems that the reservations they made for him and his girlfriend got mixed up and they need another 4 nights for him reserved soon! Not to worry – there are a lot of openings here right now as things are a little slower this year. Vera and Richie are currently in Florida for the month but will be heading home Friday to N.J. to prepare for coming here Feb. 8. Vera said they are actually heading home a couple of days early as they are getting very eager to come down here. We have been Mexico vacationing with them annually down here since we met them about 14 years ago on our first Mexico vacation in Cabo! We can’t wait to see them!! I’m sure Vera and I will be very busy together cooking and needleworking – kindred spirits. We never seem to get enough time together.
Warren and Matt are walking the hill again this morning for their exercise. It’s about 8:30 a.m. and still cool enough to make the trek without too much discomfort. Larry is taking a swim, Susan is reading, I’m blogging and Sheila is sleeping. Sheila and I plan to go to town, maybe Susan, too, and look at linens at the Mercado, stamped for embroidery. The week is already getting short for Koks and Simkinses; they are flying out on Friday. We have a trek to Troncones planned for Thursday. Troncones is about 45 minutes north of here by bus and is a surfing beach. It’s a very small little town and a sparsely populated, beautiful beach. Last year we did a little horseback riding out there on the beach and had a beautiful day. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.
We have been having domino wars and Phase 10 wars in the evenings and at the beach at Paty’s. FUN! We are such party animals! Last night it was even after 10 by the time we went to bed! We will sure miss them when they leave Friday.
I’ll close this off for now – life is beginning to happen around here and I don’t want to miss anything!
- Judy
Try to guess who got the two for one deal

Heading home after a tough day at the beach

Our Thai diinner with friends

1-24
I guess it is my turn to make an entry in the blog. We have been having a great time with everyone, and they are enjoying themselves also. Very relaxing for all. It appears that everyone is now up to full slow.
Thursday we went to Playa Larga to the south of us. It is a long beach about 9 miles long. Long enough that it has three names. Larga to the north, Blanco in the middle and Berra de Potisi to the south. We rode the bus, then the little truck with the benches in the back from the highway to the beach. It takes less than a half hour from home. It was a little windy but the wind felt good, seeing how it was 88 in the shade. It was a nice day with a different view. Had a great fish lunch with all the trimmings made special for us. Did a little beach walking, a couple of people got a little siesta in the hammock then the trip home. I negotiated the VW van shuttle to bring us back to the house for 30 pesos per couple. That made it an easy day and trip.
Yesterday, Matt and I walked to town for a couple of errands and breakfast. Judy joined us for our breakfast after here haircut and pedicure. We hit the Mercado and then on to the Comercial. Along the way, I had to show Matt the secret location of the bakery that makes the chocolate cake with the flan on top. We might need to purchase another one early next week. It has been a big hit with this group.
Today we walked up the hill at the south end of the beach, then down to Paty’s for lunch. Tonight, we had a treat for dinner. One of the jewelers, from the beach came over and fixed Thai food for us. He is someone we have known for a few years. His name is Israel, and has many talents. His English is good and we enjoyed talking with him. He is only 35 years old and has done a lot of things in his life so far. It was a fun evening for all of us.
Tomorrow looks like a day at Paty’s for beach time. Paty is starting to make preparations for the Super Bowl. We will probably watch down there next week.
The time with our friends has been great with a lot of good conversations. Everyone jumps in and helps with the dishes and the food shopping. They have been great guests.
We saw another friend show up today, from New Jersey. He is only here tonight then is going up North about three hours on the bus. He is going to a little beach town for a week, then his wife will join him here in Zihuatenejo for 6 weeks. They are just some of the many friends and acquaintances we have made down here over the years.

Warren

Our lunch at Playa Larga last Thursday. Fresh fish cooked to order with all the trimmings.

Heading out to town for shopping at the Mercado

Israel fixing our Thai dinner last night

1-21
This morning is another bright and beautiful awakening. The magpie jays are very vociferous and the mourning doves are busy. People are doing their morning walks before it gets too hot, and the workers are all heading up the hill to their construction jobs in the backs of pick-ups and crammed into old buses. Warren took Alfredo his morning coffee, which he loves, and we are having our coffee on our pool deck.
We all watched the inauguration yesterday on the CNN channel at the LaPerla Restaurant on the beach with about 25 – 30 other gringos. There was a lot of clapping and some tears. It was a good day. Then we just hung out under the palms and umbrellas until the afternoon there at LaPerla. The late afternoon is always cocktails and pool time until the sun goes down. We have been having dinners at home mostly. Koks and Simkinses are here until the 30th and we’re all geared down into full relax mode.
Our friend Eric, a beach jewelry vendor, was finally on the beach again yesterday after about a week of absence. We knew his wife was ill, but found out that she had a c-section Sunday evening and they have a new little baby boy (1 ½ months premature). He is doing well now but is still in the incubator in the hospital, along with his mother. Eric is beginning to relax now that things are okay. Their son joins sisters Perla, 7, Erica, 5, and Ariel, 3. They are the children that Warren and I have promised to support during their education. Looks like little Aaron will be another! We are excited about it. Eric is looking at a site in Zihua for a possible store where he will do his jewelry and maybe other consignment art products.
Eric’s brother, Israel, is also a jewelry vendor. He is also more of an entrepreneur, and is planning on opening a Thai restaurant with a wine bar and local artisan products. He will be coming over this Saturday evening to prepare a Thai dinner for the 6 of us plus Dan and Jeanne – 8 altogether. He’s looking forward to it – shrimp, rice, noodles, vegetables. It will be fun. Israel is a very outgoing personality, 35 years old, with lots of energy.
The beach has not been extremely busy the last couple of weeks, but more people are beginning to show up. The domino games are heating up at Paty’s and at LaPerla, and we are seeing many more of the regulars. Things are a little slower this year than usual, say the locals, but maybe it will pick up in February/March.
We are heading out for some shopping this morning – the boys are going to the liquor store and the Mercado, while we girls will be heading to the Comercial for some basics. Then we’ll have to rest up before our cocktail party this afternoon. A busy day!

Photos: Casa Ita from the road, our little home. Watching Obama being sworn in at La Perla

1-18 Our friends Matt, Sheila, Larry, and Susan arrived this past Friday about 5:30 PM. It is a long day getting here from Seattle, but that part is over. We had adult beverages waiting and they enjoyed their first sunset a little later. Saturday morning we all rode the bus to town to get them hooked up at the bank ATM for some pesos. The girls went their way and the boys walked back to the beach from town. Larry wanted to see the Madera area on the way, because they had stayed their 4 years ago. There has been a lot of changes since they were last here.
We all went for a nice dinner on the beach last night and had a very pleasant evening. Today looks like a beach day, maybe at La Perla. We will also looking for a spot to watch rhave satellite TV reception.
Right now, Judy and I are sitting out by the pool listening to the morning come alive. It’s quiet this morning, because it is Sunday. There isn’t the steady stream of workers headed up the hill to some of the construction jobs. We can hear the waves on the beach.
I am going to close for now and let some of the others add their comments.
Warren


GUEST ENTRY: Jan 18, 2009 Sunday

This is SHEILA here. The Simkins and the Koks arrived without incident on Friday afternoon. We were greeted by a pitcher of margaritas and a large bowl of guac and chips….does it get any better than this?

It is hot, hot, hot! We sweat day and night, but the warmth feels quite good on the bones. Humidity is quite high and the temps run in the high 80’s and low 90’s. We went to town for the first time on Saturday and went to the public market. Amazing sights to see and some stuff is really quite disgusting…sheep heads and other unrecognizable parts of various animals. I bought a gawdy swimsuit cover-up that makes me recognizable for miles…my new fiesta dress!

Today we had a beach day. Sunday is a big family day at the beach for Mexican and gringos alike. There are kids, teens, mama and papa and lots of pale-skins Americans everywhere. We rented beach chairs, umbrellas, and small tables for $70 pesos or $5.60 US. We ate and we drank and we burned….we now look like lobsters (especially the Koks).

Tomorrow we are off to Ixtapa which is about 5 miles away and where people go who want a high-rise resorty type feel. Voses say it is pretty.

We are all having fun and Warren and Judy are wonderful hosts. More later if I am allowed back on Warren’s computer.

1-15 I just don’t understand how the weather can be so nice everyday. It is only a concept at home. We are sitting out by the pool this morning enjoying our coffee, and reading the paper on the internet. It is a great bonus for us to access our mail and view all of our earnings in the stock market.
Alfredo, the house caretaker is very busy this morning. He has to take his wife to Mexico City today for a doctor’s appointment. That never sounds good. They will be taking the bus. He told me the trip is about 10 hours. He will be back on Saturday. So, that means 10 hrs all night on the bus, the doctor’s appointment, then return for another 10 hrs overnight. He appears to have a lot of nervous energy this morning. I think he is also feeling guilty about leaving us alone for a couple of days. He is looking at a couple of tough days.
We had a little cocktail party here last night at 4. We had eight people over and it was a lot of fun. We will be trying to do something every Wednesday if we can.
Our only complaint so far has been the dust from the little road leading up the hill next to us. There is a new little hotel just getting started. The owner is from Canada. All of a sudden, a road grader and a water truck showed up at 6:30 last night. He worked a deal with the crew working a job down the road. He told me he had been waiting for three weeks to get the work done, and finally made another arrangement. We had deviled eggs left over from our party, so I shared them with the workers. They really liked them.
It looks like we have decided to go to the beach to walk this morning, and maybe hang out at Paty’s for awhile. These decisions can be tough to make sometimes, but we got ‘er done.
Our friends Larry and Susan, Matt and Sheila arrive tomorrow at 4. They will be here for two weeks. We are all looking forward to our time together. I am sure we will peg the laugh meter a few times.
I have been trying to get a haircut, but my barber Rigo, wasn’t open the other day. His hours appear to be, if he is there he is open. If he isn’t there he is not open. What is so tough about that? They call it Mexican time.
Tonight, Judy and I went to town around 5:30. Caught the bus and then walked to Rigo’s barber shop. When we were close I could see the door open, and then we could hear the singing. Rigo likes to sing. He has a Karaoke set up in front of his chair. There was a teenage boy getting a haircut. We waited through about 4 songs while Rigo finished the haircut. He would stop in the middle to sing a little extra and then would have to put in another CD. He has a fine voice and likes to sing. It is always an adventure to go there. Finally it was my turn and he gave me a great haircut, and beard trim for 50 pesos. Razor trim and all. We walked around for awhile, and now we are home
Warren

1-14 entry

1-13 We are getting settled in and on our way to full slow. Hit the Mercado yesterday morning, and the Comercial in the evening. The house is becoming our little home away from home. It was 70 this morning at 6 AM, and a little overcast. It looks like the sun is starting to burn off the clouds.
Our friends Jim and Teri came by this morning. They were on their walk, and stopped in for coffee. We have known them for over ten years now. They are more friends that we have met here over the years. They are from the Santa Cruz California area. There was an e-mail from our friends Dan and Jeanne this morning. They will be here tomorrow afternoon from Wisconsin. It is -25 there this morning. They were our neighbors at the place we stayed at for the last two years. Our other neighbors from Montreal, Joe and Fanny can’t come this year due to some health problems. They have been coming here since 1969. I think this will be the first year they have missed. It won’t be the same without them. We will have to stay in touch via e-mail. Joe is a great story teller. Fanny has the stories numbered because she has heard them so many times. We will all miss Joe saying “what, are you crazy?”
I will sign off for now and let Judy make an entry.
Warren

It’s beginning to feel like home! And we are rested up and ready for some more activity. Since many of the friends are beginning to arrive, we’re going to have a gathering here soon. The house is really nice for that and I think we will use it a lot for getting friends together.
We were able to communicate finally with our man, Alfredo, a bit yesterday when his teenage son dropped by – Christian. What a nice young man, and he knows a little English. Alfredo is making a run to Mexico City for a few days but will return by the weekend. He’s a delightful man.
We’ve been trying to work a bit on our Spanish every day. I’ve been concentrating on my numbers so I don’t look like a deer in the headlights at the market after I ask “conto questa est?” (How much is it?) Hopefully soon I won’t have to make them write it down!!
We are in the swing of the local cuisine. We picked up some fresh yellowfin tuna at the Mercado yesterday, and just made some fresh tuna salad for lunch. The tomatoes and avocados are unbelievably wonderful, and so are the fresh bolios (French rolls) to use for sandwiches (tortas). We also found fresh, warm chicken tamales in the Mercado yesterday – 3 for 20 pesos (about $1.50). We brought them home for snacking!
We are continuing to stock up on basics so we will make fewer runs to town. But it’s so much fun to go to the Mercado! We also have a good supply of our favorite fresh Oaxaca cheese that we buy from the same man each year. Life is good.
Nothing much happening – just another day in paradise. We miss our family and friends at home!
- Judy

1-11 Were getting settled in now. We both slept better last night. The first night is always a learning curve, but we are struggling through it. You don’t need an alarm clock, the rooster next door gets me up.
We are getting ready for our first good morning beach walk. Morning is best if you are going to walk much down here. We have seen a few familiar faces so far, and more are showing up all the time. The bay is nice and warm and the water looks clean. We have had concerns over water pollution, but all looks good.
Town is a little quiet right now. There didn’t seem to be as much traffic downtown and not as many visitors yet. Times are thin down here also. Our economy has effected some things here, but life goes on for the locals. There always seems to be work for those willing to mix cement by hand or pack bricks up a couple of flights of stairs.
We went to the Mercado yesterday around 4 PM. Not the best time to go, but we only needed a few items, and hit the ATM. After fees, it looks like the exchange rate was about 137 Pesos to the dollar. That is some of the best exchange we have ever had down here.
We will probably start walking the hill at the south end of the beach early in the week. There is lots of construction going on up there. We want to check out what we saw started last year, and what appears to be more new houses and large time share under construction. It is changing the look of the landscape.
We will get some photos out soon. Judy got some great shots of some Pelicans last night down by the fishing boats. We ate at a little place by the basketball court. The basketball court is the center of activity downtown, and the fishermen pull their boats onto the beach right by it. We have seen several large sailfish and some yellowtail tuna carried away. Our plan is to get some fish this week. Love that Dorado!
That’s it for right now, the beach is calling, and we are so easily called away.

Getting ready to go

We are in the final stages of getting things together and the house ready for our housesitter. After this many trips to Mexico, you would think that it would be a little easier. We will get it done.
We leave on Thursday the 8th of January, in the afternoon. We are only going as far as Los Angeles, then on to Mexico on Friday the 9th. All is set at the house and we will be ready to get it set up. That won't take us to long. We already have a large plastic barrel that we leave down there with some of our things. If it is gone, oh well, but it will be there waiting for us I am sure. I think Judy and I were at the Comercial less than 2 hrs after we got there. That is the large modern grocery in town. It is Costco in Mexico.
More posts to come after we get set up.